Good morning, this is your Northern and Central California Surf Zone Forecast for Friday, March 20th through Saturday, March 21st, 2026.
Let's start up north in Sonoma and Marin County where we're looking at a fun Friday with surf running five to eight feet. The weather is going to cooperate with mostly sunny skies and temperatures climbing into the upper fifties to mid-eighties. Winds will be light out of the northwest, starting at ten miles per hour and bumping up slightly to twelve. Low tide hits early at six fifty-seven this morning, with a nice high tide peak at one thirty-two in the afternoon. No thunderstorms are expected.
Now here's where it gets interesting for Saturday. That same Sonoma and Marin stretch is going to see a solid swell bump up to six to ten feet. Winds are going to increase noticeably to the mid-twenties, so if you're heading out, be prepared for choppier conditions. We're looking at partly cloudy skies with highs ranging from fifty-three to eighty degrees. There's a minus tide at seven forty-three in the morning, so sandy bottoms could be exposed if you're exploring tide pools.
Moving down to San Francisco and San Mateo County, today looks like a mellow day with four to seven foot waves and that same mostly sunny weather pattern. Water temps are holding steady at fifty-five to fifty-six degrees, so a good wetsuit is definitely your friend. Winds are practically non-existent this morning at just four miles per hour, barely noticeable. Saturday's going to step up to six to ten foot waves with winds picking up to sixteen to twenty-one miles per hour out of the northwest. Look for partly cloudy skies with some patchy fog rolling in, particularly in the morning.
Santa Cruz County is looking smaller today with three to six foot waves and that same gorgeous sunny forecast. Light winds under ten miles per hour and water temps matching the rest of the coast at fifty-five to fifty-six degrees. Come Saturday, Santa Cruz gets a decent bump to six to nine foot waves with moderate northwest winds. The swell is definitely trending larger as we move through the weekend.
Finally, down in Monterey Bay and Big Sur, we've got the calmest conditions today with three to five foot waves and the warmest water temps of the forecast at fifty-eight degrees. Perfect conditions for a leisurely session if you're down that way. Saturday brings five to eight foot waves with lighter winds compared to points north, just four to nine miles per hour. Patchy fog is possible in the morning, but overall it looks like a solid day to be in the water.
One important reminder, please check with your local authorities regarding any potential beach closures before you head out.
So there you have it, folks. Friday looks mellow and scenic throughout the region with small to moderate surf. Saturday's the day the ocean turns it up a notch with increased swell and stronger winds, particularly up north. Get out there and enjoy what the Pacific has to offer this wee
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.